Upcoming “Let’s Grow!” Events and Proposed Ordinance Mark City Efforts to Promote Urban Farming, Increase Access to Fresh Produce; Ordinance to be submitted at 4/12 BOA Meeting

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that he is working with members of the Board of Aldermen, City staff, and several community partners to develop an urban agriculture initiative in Somerville.  As a first step, the Mayor and several aldermen will co-sponsor submission of a proposed ordinance at the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen on Thursday, April 12.

“This is part of a nationwide trend toward public-sector support for urban agriculture, but it is also a direct response to the interest shown on this topic by our aldermen and by many members of the general public,” said Mayor Curtatone. “We’re not just talking about community gardens here, but other food production options that lend themselves to the urban environment, including aquaponics and hydroponics. We see this initiative as a logical extension of the Shape Up Somerville program.  Support for urban agriculture helps our residents obtain fresher, healthier food as well as helping them control where their food comes from and how it is produced.”

“Community groups like Groundwork Somerville have done a terrific grassroots job in promoting efficient, sustainable use of urban open space, and we need to recast city rules and policies to support those efforts,” said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, chair of the Board of Aldermen’s Environment and Energy Committee.  “My constituents are enthusiastic about the potential for urban agriculture to enhance their health and the quality of their lives.  This ordinance will empower our residents to explore urban agriculture as a means to improve their lives and their environment.”

“One of the great things about Somerville is a creative, do-it-yourself, keep-it-local approach that shows up in small business, in our arts and music scene, and in our community events,” said Alderman at Large Jack Connolly. “This is another area of interest and opportunity for Somerville residents who want to explore positive, life-enhancing activities that benefit the entire community. I’m excited to be working with the Mayor and my colleagues on the Board to create a supportive environment for urban agriculture.”

In addition to the proposed ordinance, which would create a framework for residential, community and commercial farming within the city limits, City officials have also announced a series of public events to celebrate the start of the growing season and to promote local farming.

Three events are planned for the Earth Day weekend on Saturday, April 21 to celebrate the City’s commitment to green initiatives and urban farming:

• Let’s Grow Somerville! Urban Agriculture Workshop
  10:00 A.M.-Noon, Mudflat Studio, 81 Broadway in East Somerville
  Join expert and novice gardeners and farmers to share information about growing food in the city. Short presentations will be given by City Planning staff, Green City Growers, Groundwork Somerville and Cuisine en Locale.

• Groundwork Farm Raising
  10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M., South Street Farm, 111 South Street
  Join the Groundwork Somerville Green Team for a “farm raising” atSomerville’s first farm. Help build and lay out the raised beds, fill them, mix soil, and plant the first crops of the spring with Green City Growers. Healthy snacks and activities will be provided.

• ·         Somerville Reads Celebration: A Community Potluck
  1:00- 3:00 P.M., Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Avenue
  Bring a dish to share (please list ingredients), and vote for your favorite. Celebrate the City’s third “One City, One Book” campaign, Somerville Reads 2012—a project that promotes literacy and community engagement by encouraging people all over the City to read and discuss books on the same theme. This year’s theme is food—local, sustainable, and delicious! Enjoy music by the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library Band and children’s activities for the wee ones.

The series continues in May with a garden celebration and a talk on bee keeping by Kagen Weeks of Hive at Your Home.

Spring Garden Day

Saturday, May 5, 9:00 A.M. – Noon, Community Growing Center (22 Vinal Ave.)

Residents are invited to participate in a free seed and/or seedling exchange, and to help paint a bee hive that will be installed at the Growing Center later this spring.

Additional information about the City’s Urban Agriculture Initiative and related events can be found at www.somervillema.gov/urbanag.